§ Lord Turnbergasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to reduce the inequities in the arrangements for prescription charges outlined in the recent report from the Citizen's Advice Bureau Unhealthy Charges. [HL1705]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)There are no plans at present to change the current exemption and remission arrangements in England. These are intended to ensure that no one need be deterred from obtaining any necessary medication on financial grounds. Eighty-five per cent. of items are dispensed free of charge in England.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland these are matters for the devolved administrations.